Carp are a major problem in Murray Darling catchment. Knowing more about carp in our catchment is really important! They are one of our worst aquatic pests and can breed up very quickly. Mapping carp hotspots and where they breed is important for understanding their behaviour and identifying opportunities for control. Carp are often thought to require large and warm wetlands to breed, but we have very few of those types of wetlands in the ACT region and we still have lots of carp!
This photo on the left was taken at Sullivan's Creek in October 2015 after carp had begun breeding at the downstream end of the creek. Carp had been regularly gathering in circles near the surface of the water. No one is really sure why they do this but it believed to be a social exercise rather than a feeding/breeding activity. Photo courtesy of Dan Starrs.
This photo above was taken at McKellar Wetlands in October 2015. Eggs are 3mm in diameter and take approximately a week to hatch. A single, large female can produce up to 1.5 million eggs in a single spawning event! Photo courtesy of Dan Starrs.
Spawning behaviour of introduced European carp in MacKellar Wetlands. Video courtesy of Dan Starrs.
How can you help?
- Participate in the Carp Love 20°C program
- Log sightings of breeding events at FeralFishScan